China on red alert as ‘super typhoon’ closes in

A big wave smashes into a breakwater as Typhoon Usagi approaches the eastern 

coastal town of Taitung September 21, 2013. (Reuters)

China’s National Meteorological center has issued a red alert as typhoon Usagi speeds towards Hong Kong. Authorities have warned the super typhoon is a “severe threat” after it wreaked havoc in Taiwan and the Philippines.

Usagi – slated to be the most potent storm to strike the area this year – is on a collision course with Hong Kong. The city’s Observatory said the storm was about 760 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong with wind speeds of up to 195 kilometers per hour on Saturday morning. 

In response to the imminent threat the Hong Kong authorities have warned citizens to brace themselves for flooding and powerful winds, while the Cathay Pacific airline has announced it will suspend services when the storm strikes. 

A fisherman secures his boat at a shelter in preparation for Typhoon Usagi in Hong Kong on September 21, 2013. (AFP Photo / Laurent Fievet)

"Due to the anticipated impact of Super Typhoon Usagi approaching, operations at Hong Kong will stop from 18:00 on 22 September (Sunday) through 23 September (Monday),” said a statement on the company’s website. The statement also urged citizens to refrain from non-essential travel.

On mainland China authorities issued a red alert – the highest level warning – and forecast hurricane force winds and heavy rains. In preparation for the arrival of Usagi over 4,000 people inhabiting the coastal areas of Fujian Province were evacuated, while around 23,000 fishing boats have been put into shelter.

A three-wheeled vehicle lies on its side after being blown over by winds from Typhoon Usagi in the town of Hengtsun in southeast Pingtung county on September 21, 2013 as the storm sweeps past the southern parts of the island. (AFP Photo / Sam Yeh)

Usagi has already swept through the Philippines and Taiwan, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, Usagi hit the Batanes islands, off the southern coast of Taiwan, felling trees and knocking out power.

"The winds are very strong. I cannot even go out now," Batanes governor Vicente Gato told DZBB radio in Manila. "Many trees have been uprooted and we have no electricity," he said. There have been no reports of casualties, but emergency services remain on standby.

Children swim in a flooded walkway as rough waves crash on concrete banks along the coast of Manila Bay brought by Super Typhoon Usagi in Navotas City, metro Manila September 21, 2013. (Reuters / Romeo Ranoco)

An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year and the surrounding area. Philippine Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said that as a result the people of the Philippines were well prepared for Usagi.

"Our people there know the drill, but we have also issued warnings to take safety precautions," Philippine Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said. "We're praying it doesn't create death and destruction."

Back in 2011 typhoon Washi decimated the Philippines, killing 1,200 people and destroying thousands of homes. While typhoon Morakot left a trail of destruction in Taiwan in 2009 triggering huge landslides that killed around 600 people.

Fishermen ride on their boat as dark clouds loom over the city brought by Super Typhoon Usagi in Navotas City, metro Manila September 21, 2013. (Reuters / Romeo Ranoco)